Oburu: I’ll lead ODM into government not opposition

ODM party leader Oburu Odinga has dismissed attempts to splinter the outfit, saying the party remains intact and focused ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Oburu said no factional pressure would be allowed to destabilise the party, adding that ODM is instead preparing to strengthen its grassroots and national structures.

He noted that the party is consolidating its support base to increase its bargaining power ahead of the next polls.

Speaking on Wednesday, Oburu dismissed claims that ODM was gearing up to remain in the opposition, stressing that the party is targeting power.

“Those who want to break ODM, it will never happen in my hands. We shall not allow ODM to be divided. We are going to move forward and make ODM stronger so that when it comes to 2027, we are either going to do it alone or we go with parties with which we shall negotiate a good deal to work together. That is what our party is all about,” the party leader said.

“There is nothing like forming a party to be in the opposition. I’m not going to lead my party to be in the opposition, I’m going to lead my party to be in the government.”

ODM has recently experienced internal friction as competing factions seek to shape the party’s post-Raila Odinga future.

Oburu’s leadership, backed by key party organs, has been presented as a continuation of Raila’s legacy and an effort to keep ODM united as one of Kenya’s most influential political movements.

His remarks come as ODM prepares for key upcoming organisational activities, including strengthening grassroots structures and preparing for national engagements expected to shape the party’s direction over the next electoral cycle.

This follows EALA MP Winnie Odinga's sentiments which appeared to have unsettled and energized ODM provoking intense debate and drew sharp reactions across the political divide.

Winnie, the youngest daughter of the late former Prime Minister Raila, stood before supporters and party leaders and unleashed a critique of what she sees as creeping betrayal within the ODM ranks.

She claimed that a section of ODM leaders were holding secret meetings “in boardrooms and bedrooms” to negotiate the party’s future and possibly “sell ODM” at a time when it remains divided over whether to continue its cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration or adopt a bolder, independent stance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“ODM is not a party that was secretly birthed,” she declared defiantly.

“Some of us are walking with us during the day, but at night are hatching plans to sell our party. That will not be possible. The party was not born in a boardroom,'' she said.

''It was not made in a bedroom, and its future will not be discussed as pillow talk. It was born out of protest, made in resistance, and the people of ODM have bled time and again and shed tears for this country.”

Oburu, Raila’s elder brother, sought to cool rising temperatures following Winnie’s call for the convening of a National Delegates Conference (NDC) to redefine ODM’s relationship with the government.

Oburu dismissed her proposal in public but noted that he would hold a private discussion with her to address the issues she raised.